Sometimes you need to move an electrical outlet of your home to some other place. There could be many reasons for moving the outlet like when you need to install a plasma television on the wall. It requires the movement of outlet to a level where it will be covered by the TV.

For moving an existing outlet you need to have a drywall or keyhole saw, Phillips and flat head screwdrivers, cut-in electrical box, 12×3 electrical wiring, wire nuts, blank electrical plate, drill, 1 inch paddle bit, side cutting pliers and wire strippers.

You must know that before starting any electrical installation or repair, you should stop the flow of current in that particular circuit. Hence, switch off the circuit breaker connected to that outlet. To ensure that current is not flowing anymore, use a volt meter.

Put the new cut-in electrical box on the wall where you need to move the outlet and draw an outline around it using a pencil. Use a keyhole or drywall saw to cut along the line.

The wires that were used in old outlet can be used for new outlet also. Hence, stretch the wires via attic or via basement up to the new outlet location. In case the existing wire falls short for the purpose then you can add a new wire to this existing wire so that it can easily reach at the desired location.

Fix the cut-in electrical box on the wall where you want new outlet. Tighten the 2 Phillips head screws on each corner until it grasps the drywall completely. Once the wire has reached near new outlet location, pull the wire through one of the wire feeds in the electrical box.

While connecting the wires to the outlet, always keep one thing in mind that you should always connect the black wire to copper or darker (hot) screw and white to silver or lighter (neutral) screw. Always connect the ground wire to green screw. Use screw driver to tighten the screw that attach the outlet to the electrical box and finally cover it with the cover plate.

The old electrical box where the outlet was installed earlier should be covered with a blank plate to prevent any health hazard. Also to check that you have properly done the connections, switch on the power supply and check the outlet. If things run smoothly in the outlet then your job is done.

Scott Rodgers is a writer with ample experience in electricians work all over the country. His exemplary guidance has generated business for a lot many Lake Forest Electricians (Need one? click here!) and Park Ridge Electricians (Need one? click here!).